PhD Research 2
I commenced my PhD in 2022 and the journey has been incredibly fun and often unexpected.
It has taken me all over Europe and around the UK, seeking, sniffing and chatting about the linking of scent with sculpture… It has been tricky to sort this body of documentation and experience into chapters, but here is a good go at it…
Aftermathing
My sculptural practice has acknowledged the way scent and fragrance is utilised in artworks, how we introduce it, signpost it, distribute and experience it within the gallery.
Smelly objects from cars, urinals, wardrobes and bathrooms, like perfume bottles, reed diffusers and spray cans were all produced to dispense scent. All of these have a sculptural quality that has lent itself to further practical contemplation….
I also pursue the connotations of using scent, the connections made and the repercussions from these….
Autofragrances
I have always been visually and olfactorally ensnared by David Fincher’s film Se7en, in particular the SLOTH scene… the display of the fresheners, their impact is compelling.
The boundaries of autofreshener and perfumes is blurring, new companies are inspired by popular scents… cars are smelling of people. I like the sculptural designs of the more contemporary vessels, glass and wood, rather than cardboard.
Pomanders
Traditional vessels, rarely used these days and often found in thrift stores. These ceramic, unwanted objects instantly appeal due to their sculptural-orb-scented qualities… re-use, re-infusion and re-presentation… utter joy!
Urinals
These spaces have polarising scents, either reeking of piss or over-masked with toilet blocks, reed diffusers, timed dispensers and urinal mats. The experience can be overwhelming and once again, these tools of olfaction are sculptural and compelling.
Mobiles
I had been researching certain artists who use perfume in their work and the Mobile Labyrinths by Maki Ueda were compelling and reminded me of the ways we experience scent, we may try and let our noses lead us, chase a scent, track them down. The mobiles more slowly in the space and we have to slightly contort to experience them. I used found soaps and urinal mats to make this experience a little more bonkers, more preposterous… the car fresheners, with their colourful bottles also appealed. The audience having an intimate, yet physical encounter with each scent, within the space, I love the fact that their actions become performatory.
Soaps
I saw a work by the artist Trevor Yeung in Paris in 2022, a collection of soaps ‘ All the Chinese boys he collected’ - the assemblage and the use of soap was intriguing too. Some traditional restaurants in Paris also employ wall mounted soap. These qualities are ripe for sculptural and olfactory investigation.
Reed Diffusers
These are everywhere! Sometimes hidden, very often in your face! I am instantly drawn to their presence and scent! The reeds poking out, the coloured bottles and vessels spewing smelly wafts.
Diptyque even have a wooden version that wobbles! The language of scent dispensation is prevalent and worth investigation.
Collecting/Amassing
I love a souvenir, I like taking something home with me, a pamphlet, a postcard, an object of my experience. I love collecting too… amassing experiences with stuff. I like to display my hoardings, to depict a jangled journey with scented paraphernalia - as someone who used to be a visual merchandiser and window dresser, I find a comfort in showcasing these.
Blue, Bluer, Bluest
Blue has been associated with many artists and artworks for thousands of years - with multiple connotations.
It possessed mystical properties, it was hard to obtain… things change over time, but does the colour blue still hold, for some, deeply powerful connections?
I was reminded of the Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain where Ennis finds Jack’s blue shirt (near the end of the film), he takes a deep sniff and tears fall down his cheek…
I have been collecting blue titled fragrances and when the chance arises, they have been exhibited with different blue tops, shirts, jackets etc… each with its own blue scent…
Not quite sure where the work is headed but I will persevere...
MINTervention
As part of the turntable gallery’s presentation at the Manchester Contemporary Art Fair in 2025, I scented the stand space with mint. There was also the chance to consume Crème de Menthe whilst enjoying the art.
